Physical-Knob Mixing Device for Uninterrupted Gameplay Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio mixing systems require users to pause gameplay and use a mouse to adjust volume settings, disrupting gameplay and causing discomfort for viewers.

Innovation Solution

A mixing device with intuitive physical knobs and LEDs for adjusting sound settings, allowing users to change volume and acoustic effects directly on the device without pausing gameplay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If volume settings are adjusted using a mouse on the application screen, then sound setting precision can be improved, but gameplay continuity deteriorates due to the need to pause and switch screens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound setting precisionVSAvoidgameplay continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A physical mixing device is introduced as an intermediary between the user and the audio system. This device includes knobs for adjusting volume and acoustic effects, and LEDs for displaying output levels, allowing users to make precise sound settings without interacting with the computer screen or pausing gameplay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical mouse operation on screen with physical knobs and LEDs. The knobs provide tactile feedback and precise control for adjusting sound settings, while LEDs provide visual feedback for monitoring output levels, eliminating the need to switch between screen and mouse operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If physical knobs and LEDs are added to the mixing device, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound setting operationVSAvoidmixing device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing device is designed to be connectable to multiple output destinations (headphones, speakers, distribution destinations) through a single device. The same knobs and LEDs serve multiple functions: knobs adjust volume and acoustic effects for different outputs, while LEDs display output levels for each destination, eliminating the need for separate control devices for each output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4292682B1Mixing device and mixing method

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 ROLAND CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A mixing device is provided. The mixing device (1, 500, 501, 502) includes: an input unit (15, 16), inputting sounds; multiple output units (15, 16), outputting the sounds; a sound setting operator (2a, 3a, 4a, 20a, 20au, 20ad, 22a), setting a sound setting value that is a setting value relating to the sounds; a selection operator (5), selecting the output unit of a target for setting the sound setting value; a setting value acquisition means (S8), acquiring the sound setting value set by the sound setting operator with respect to the output unit selected by the selection operator; and a mixing means (S31 to S33), for each of the output units, mixing the sounds input at the input unit based on the sound setting value corresponding to the output unit and being the sound setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition means.